Favre’s off-the-field fumble

There are reports that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sent inappropriate text messages and photos in 2008 to a former New York Jets sideline reporter. The sports blog Deadspin.com filed the report last week. The NFL is investigating, and the three-time MVP has not denied the allegations. Wisconsin Radio Network Sports Director Bill Scott says the NFL is obligated to look into it.

“Well, the NFL is investigating because they have to investigate … any time there’s something like this that comes out they have to take a look at it; They have set the precedent by trying to get tough on these types of off-the-field behavioral problems that are detrimental to the image of the league.”

Scott says the NFL can suspend the former Green Bay Packer star quarterback if he’s found to have violated the league’s personal conduct policy. A suspension would snap Favre’s NFL record streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback. Scott makes a comparison to Ben Roethlisberger, who recently got a six-game suspension, eventually reduced to four games, for sexual assault allegations. Favre is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

“Based on my run-ins with Favre, I don’t believe he’s a choirboy by any stretch of the imagination. I think there are some things in his closet in the past that … let’s put it this way, I think he’s gotten away with a few things in his day. I think that if he’s guilty of this and the NFL cracks down on him, you know what, it’s kind of like the cat with nine lives. I think he’s run out of one.”

Scott says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has to protect the image of the league. If found guilty, the publicity could threaten Favre’s product endorsement deals, like they did for Tiger Woods, but there’s not a shortage of professional athletes who can sell a product. Scott says if Favre is guilty, so be it. If he’s not, let’s move on and be football fans again.

The 41-year-old grandfather apologized to his teammates on Monday for becoming a distraction. Favre made his 289th consecutive start Monday night against the New York Jets.